I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
A/N: there is an awkward sex scene between these two ladies. Bear with them.
2: Lady Fair
Regina sat in the garden, surrounded by bright colors and manicured plants, glaring at the high window that led to the room that held her future. She had not been invited to attend. Her future was never her concern according to her mother and Abuelo.
She was not in the mood to face the consequences of disobeying. She had other ways to rebel. She rushed off to the stables, pausing only to change into her riding gear.
This place was once her refuge. It was where she first loved a darling stableboy, what seemed like a lifetime ago. It was only four years ago. Four long years ago, Mother caught her kissing Daniel. Four long years ago, Mother ripped Daniel's heart out in front of her and Regina's. Four long years ago, Abuelo did nothing to punish Mother for her actions.
Regina rode her horse, Rocinante, as if the Dark One himself was after her. Rocinante rose to the occasion, ripping through thick forest and open meadows. Rocinante was always with her, knowing to go hard along with her. By the time she got back to the stables, hours had passed. The sun was setting and she was covered in sweat, feeling no better than she had when she left.
"You can't always out-ride your problems, Regina," Abuelo said as he stepped into view. His royal robes were out of place in the stables. She was the only member of the royal family who deigned to come here. Everyone else waited for their steeds to be brought to them in much airier spaces.
Regina scowled. "Not like I have a lot of options," she replied without looking at him. She did not want to see him, or any other member of her family at this point. She focused on caring for Rocinante, the only creature in her life who had not betrayed her.
"You had many options, linda," he replied in a soft tone, as if he was trying to soothe her. He was full of it. He had not tried to comfort her in over ten years.
"Like the one you allowed Mother to murder?" she snapped.
He took a step toward her, not caring that some of his best robes dragged through the muck. "Regina, don't be naive. It's unbecoming. No one would've allowed you to run off with the stableboy. He was beneath you."
"I love him!" Regina roared, glaring at Abuelo with all of the hatred her heart managed to muster. "Why wasn't that enough?"
Abuelo tilted his head and had the nerve to look sorrowful for her. To Hell with him! "Because you know that's not how things are done."
She gritted her teeth. "That's how they were done for Daddy." He was allowed to marry the damn miller's daughter.
Abuelo sighed, like this all pained him. "And look at how that worked out for him. Your father is simple, Regina, I understand you wish to be the same, but it's not possible."
Nothing was ever possible for her. She would never be happy. She would never have her life. She would never be free. "Why not?" The question was a plea, an accusation, and a demand.
He cut more distance between them, but remained an arm's length from her. "Well, for one, you are so much smarter than your father and intelligence is always a burden. Beyond that, you have responsibilities he doesn't and you have the mother you have."
"Am I meant to bear her punishments?" She was always grateful Abuelo was never taken by Mother the same way Daddy was, but it also hurt. Abuelo knew what Mother did and never stopped her. At least Daddy was ignorant to the worst of it.
He blew out another long breath. "You are to be free of her this way, linda. You are wed to someone of your status, who will take you away from here. Someone your mother can't murder without consequence."
"You allowed her that!" Abuelo was king. He had the power to stop Mother four years ago when she outright murdered someone on royal grounds and he looked the other way. He had the power to end this madness there! Of course, he could have ended the madness long ago, back when he used to find her hiding in kitchen cupboards and tucked away in cracks to escape Mother.
Abuelo dared to put his hand on her shoulder. "Because I couldn't allow you to run away. Regina, you can't be so foolish to not understand the opportunity in front of you."
Regina yanked her shoulder away. She was sick of these people making her small for their own devices. "I understand you sacrificed my happiness to appease Mother." There would never be a greater crime against her.
Abuelo regarded her with such patience and it made her want to rip him apart. "We all have our own plans for you, Regina. Am I meant to stand by and watch your mother murder our family to put you on the throne and control you for the rest of your life?"
"You only made me another man's problem." Of course, she was a little happy she was not her uncle and cousin's problem now. It was bad enough she was not allowed around her cousin, but to know her mother had no qualms with ending the life of a four-year-old and a baby yet to be born for power was too much. She would never escape that woman.
He offered her a sad smile. "No, I put you in a position to lead a somewhat happy life because Leopold would destroy any and everyone who would interrupt his plans for his heir, including your mother. This is your best shot, Regina. Take it or leave it, but it's here. You can live your life, away from her."
Regina had never imagined life without Mother. It seemed impossible. There was no reality without Mother bearing down on her, shoving her in a direction she never desired to go. How would such a life play out?
"What if she follows me?" Regina asked in a quiet voice. It was likely. Mother would try to scheme and scam until she had the time and ability to do with Regina what she desired.
He shook his head and his smile brightened a bit. She would not dare to hope. "She cannot," he promised. There was no way he might be able to keep that promise. "Your father has duties to my Court, as does his wife," he reminded her. "You will live with Princess Emma in the Enchanted Forest. She can't follow you."
This truly was a gift. Regina's stomach flipped and her nerves were ready to tear out of her skin. How was this possible? "Thank you, Abuelo. I know you don't care for me—"
He scoffed and his brown eyes were impossibly soft. He never looked at her like this, like he cared, like he loved her. He put his hand on her bicep and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Oh, linda. I adore you," he said with a tremble in his voice. "I would give you the world were it not for your mother. We live in a world where we must be careful of showing our emotions and intentions. You know this better than most. Perhaps, you will have a chance to be yourself now."
A tear ran down Regina's cheek. "I always thought you didn't care for me."
He placed a tender hand on her cheek and wiped away the tear with a gentle swipe of his thumb. "I care for you as much as I do your father. I see his light inside of you. Unfortunately, you see where indulging him has gotten us."
Regina nodded. "Mother won't just walk away."
"Of course she won't, but now we have more on our side. She's fighting on multiple fronts. I want to stop her from completely snuffing out the light inside of you, linda."
Regina was not sure what light Abuelo thought he saw. Darkness swirled in her belly and she fought it down to the best of her ability. Some days she did this better than others.
Living with Mother made it impossible to have the warmth of any light. She did her best to be decent, but there was no light. Darkness ate at her when she allowed it.
Regina sighed. "So, I am to marry this Princess Emma Swan? She's not even legitimate."
The servants gossiped and told tales of Sir Swan, King Leopold's bastard daughter. She was a hero according to most stories, but she was also almost the same age as Snow White, Leopold's heir. There was a story there, but Regina did not know it.
Abuelo caressed her cheek briefly, sighed, and dropped his hand. "Leopold agreed to make her so. You will keep your lands here, but he will grant her more property and an allowance fitting the title of duchess. You will live there. And, provided no fairies decide to interfere, you will be without issue, so your mother can't force herself to the throne."
Regina blew out a breath. "We shall see." It seemed too good to be true. Her life was never so simple, never so good.
-8-8-8-8-
The wedding was held in Castia, which did not bother Emma much. She was nervous. She never planned to be married, especially not to an actual princess. And this wedding was huge because she was marrying an actual princess. How the hell did I end up here?
"Father was right to have the wedding here. The setup is so beautiful. In the Enchanted Forest, most people would've been confused," Snow said as she sat to the side as a servant fixed Emma's wedding outfit. They were huddled in a small room with a couple of huge mirrors, so Emma got a look at herself from several angles. How the hell am I getting married?
She was allowed to wear a suit, which fit her more than a dress she would have had to wear in the Enchanted Forest. The suit, made by the royal tailor in Castia, was white and red, as red seemed to be a royal/important color in Castia. She was even allowed to wear her sword. It was the most comfortable outfit she had ever been in, which she did not expect.
"I didn't know this was legal in the Enchanted Forest," Emma replied. Yes, Leopold explained several times the marriage would count, but it did not seem right. It was like telling her, she would be able to jump into a pool and remain dry.
"Not illegal, but not our custom. Many countries practice same-sex unions, though. I don't understand it." Snow shrugged and folded her hands in her lap. She dressed in a full gown, dark blue and white with lace. Her hair was decorated with pearls and white flowers.
Emma scrunched up her face, which was made up perfectly. "How will this make us look in the Enchanted Forest?" Would the people of the Enchanted Forest accept this taboo relationship?
Snow offered her a soft smile. "Odd, but it's for a good cause. Castia is a strong nation and it's wise to ally with them, especially through marriage. It gives us a deeper connection. It'll help the economy if nothing else."
Emma blew out a breath. That was not reassuring, but it was all she had right now. "I suppose so. How do I look?" She turned to face Snow.
Snow smiled, her eyes sparkled. "Beautiful. Handsome. Dashing. It's like seeing you as a knight for the first time."
Emma's cheeks were aflame. With her luck, her cheeks were as red as the flowers braided through her hair or the rubies in the tiara she was forced to wear. "Thanks. Think she'll like me?"
"She'll love you. Who doesn't?"
Emma did not have enough time in life to answer that question. She had to get married. So, she went to the altar. Her stomach twisted as she gazed out into the sea of wedding guests as she waited for her bride.
Having attended Snow's wedding to Prince David Nolan a few months ago, Emma understood royal weddings were a big deal. She had not expected her royal wedding to be a big deal, though. She had also not expected to be married in such a beautiful area.
The gardens of Autumn Palace were the stuff of dreams. There were red flowers everywhere, but also these grand trees that reached the rooftops of the dusty carmine of the building. At the center of the garden, like the beating heart of it all, was a polished crimson fountain, sending a cool spray around the area. Emma stood there, staring down the aisle, trying to keep her heart rate under control.
Emma had faced down fire-breathing dragons and had less nerves than now. This was life-changing, like finding out who her father was. She would not be able to go back to being the Emma Swan she was yesterday. The worry left her mind as the bridal march music started and Princess Regina appeared at the archway that led into the garden.
Regina was in a mostly white gown with deep red threading throughout it. There were dozens of tiny flowers and red lace in her hair. It was not the first time Emma saw Regina since this ridiculous marriage alliance, but her breath hitched this time. Regina was the beautiful one.
The ceremony was a blur to Emma. She hit the marks when prompted, but had no idea what she was saying. When would this not be surreal? No time soon she discovered.
They still had to consummate the marriage… with witnesses. Who thought of that nonsense? Emma was no wallflower, but she did not perform for audiences.
"Princess Emma, you seem unnerved," Cora said, coming to Emma during the reception. Regina was off dancing with a dozen noblemen she was obligated to pay attention to for whatever reason. Emma sat off to the side, trying to make sense of her life now.
Emma forced out a smile. She had exchanged more words with Cora than Regina since the engagement. Part of that was her fault, as she was off being a knight until this day. But, also part of it seemed to be Regina was being purposely kept from her. She was not sure if that was Regina's decision or someone else's. Of course, Regina had not said anything to her during the reception either.
Cora unnerved Emma in a way most dangers did not. There was a coldness in Cora's eyes that Emma had never seen before, like she might kill the entire wedding party and would not lose sleep over it. Emma did her best to expect the unexpected when Cora was nearby.
"This is a little overwhelming," Emma admitted. She had not been able to keep food down. She could not remember a time when she was unable to eat her fill of free food.
Cora nodded and made a show of looking around. "Yes, this wedding is grander than my own to Regina's father over two decades ago. Of course, you both are two princesses, uniting two kingdoms. This had no choice but to be a grand affair."
"Fair point," Emma was not sure what else to say.
Cora held up a steaming cup. "I brought you something to soothe your nerves. Don't want to be a wreck for the next part."
Definitely. "Thank you." Emma accepted the cup, but instinct told her not to drink it. Too bad for her that Cora stood there and stared her down. That made her feel worse about drinking it. Damn, I'm going to die on my wedding night.
The drink was sweet, unbearably so. The only thing keeping Emma from throwing it back up was Cora watching her like a cat that cornered a mouse. Yup, I'm dead. On the plus side, it might save her from the most embarrassing part of the night.
Of course, the poison did not kill Emma by the time she and Regina had to retire to bed. Emma's stomach roiled as Regina seemed to appear beside her as they were led to their "marriage bed." It was simply the suite they would sleep in for the night they were in Castia.
Servants pulled Regina away from Emma and helped Emma into her nightclothes. She lost sight of Regina, but assumed the same happened. She found out she was right when they were both helped into bed by servants. They did not look at each other, both pulling the duvet up to her chin, even though they sat shoulder to shoulder.
The bed curtains were pulled back and applause erupted throughout the room. Emma jumped. When had people been let into the room? Why the hell was it such a huge crowd? Did all the nobles in both kingdoms have to witness this? Snow had promised her it would only be about a dozen or so people. This was damn near a mob.
"Presenting Princess Emma Swan-Mills and Princess Regina Swan-Mills," someone announced.
The applause was louder that time and then the people were gone. Wait, what? Were they not supposed to watch Emma fumble being intimate with her wife the first time? Emma could not help blowing out a breath once the room was empty.
"Well?" The snap pulled Emma from her panicked thoughts.
"Excuse me?" Emma turned to Regina.
"Shouldn't you get to it?" Regina demanded, a scowl etched on her lovely features, twisting them, but she was no less beautiful somehow.
Emma was not sure what to make of this. The few times — and it was very few and they were never alone — she had interacted with Regina, the princess had been demure to the point of shy. Who was this demanding wench? Was this the real Regina and the docile princess bit only an act? Had she pretended to be a reserved, mousy Lady while in view of her grandfather and mother?
"Get to what?" Emma replied with an arched eyebrow.
Regina glared at her. "You know."
Emma did know, but did Regina know? "Why do I have to get to it? Surely you have to be just as active for it to count."
The frown on Regina's face had to have the power to crumble mountains. "You're the worldly knight. I'm sure you've done this with countless maidens already."
That was close to true, but it was probably best not to admit that to her wife. Moreover, Regina possibly had no idea how to do "it" or what to do. This might be her first time. Fuck.
"Weren't you advised?" Emma asked. Snow said a knowledgeable older woman spoke to her before she was married to David. Emma got a sort of pep talk from Snow about it, which she did not want. Snow had no idea how to be with a woman. And, Leopold in his infinite wisdom, tried to have a male servant explain to Emma how to please a woman. Nope to that, though.
"Of course," Regina answered, tone shorter than before. Her gaze was on the blanket over her legs, though.
"Are you scared?" Emma asked in a soft tone.
"No," Regina growled. "I only want to get it out of the way."
Emma nodded. "Your mother didn't give you something for your nerves?"
"I don't have nerves!" Regina huffed and then her gaze narrowed on Emma. "Did my mother give you something?"
Emma gulped, but shrugged. "A drink. She said it would help my nerves." By making them stop working probably.
Regina's face erupted. "You absolute moron! Now, I'll be a widow by morning." She threw her hands up, fed up with Emma already. That had to be a record.
The last thing Emma needed now was her worst fear confirmed. "I feel fine." Right? Her stomach turning over and her chest tightening was from nerves. Or so she hoped.
Regina glared at her, like she said the dumbest thing imaginable. "Did no one advise you about my mother?"
Of course, they had, but it was unnecessary. Emma knew immediately Cora Mills was bad news. Regina confirming her suspicions were not expected.
"What's done is done. How about we change the subject?" Emma did not want to think of her imminent death while also considering how she had to make Regina's first time nice. Gotta be better than my first time. Not that it would be hard to top her first time… her first ten times probably.
Regina's scowl returned, shoulders tensed. "To what?"
Emma grinned. "How about a kiss?"
Regina flinched and brought her hand up, as if she meant to slap Emma for being fresh. But, she caught herself. After all, they were married.
"If you must." Regina sniffed, like this was a great burden.
Emma held in a giggle. She did not want to seem eager, but one of her favorite things about being a knight was the fair maidens. They were not always women, but they were always interested and Emma liked anyone interested.
So, leaning in, Emma kissed Regina with as much control and tenderness as she could muster. She must have done it right because after a moment, Regina kissed back. It was a simple peck, but better than being insulted.
Then it was over. Emma's body tingled while Regina's brow wrinkled like she was confused. Emma was not sure why. It was possible that was Regina's first kiss. Hopefully, not their last kiss.
"More?" Emma asked.
Regina nodded and Emma kissed her again. Regina returned the show of affection with cautious eagerness. Emma would take her time.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina had never been kissed so sweetly. Daniel had been clumsy with his affection, as Regina suspected she still was. Emma Swan was practiced, skilled even. What was she meant to do with this? She would not allow Emma to have the upper hand here.
After it had become clear to Regina she would not be able to escape this marriage, she vowed to herself she would not live under someone's thumb again, not her wife, not King Leopold, no one. Her grandfather claimed this was her freedom, so she would seize it, especially since Mother planned to ruin it before the ink had a chance to dry on all of the legal documents. She would be the one in control for once.
So, as Emma's hands wandered, Regina stopped her. Emma pulled away, giving an adorable puppy-dog expression. Regina frowned.
"I doubt you need to touch so much to get on with this," Regina said. Not that she had a clue how little or much touching was involved in intimacy.
"No, but it helps get you in the mood. You'll appreciate it," Emma replied.
Regina ground her teeth together. "I'd probably appreciate a spouse who clearly wasn't so educated in this manner."
"Wow," Emma said, pulling away more. "You can just outright call me a whore. You wouldn't be the first."
Regina held in a wince. Why are you being this way? You have to do this and you're stuck with her no matter what. Do you want her to hate you? Yes, some part of Regina wanted Emma to hate her, like she hated this. She wanted Emma to burn her, so she would have the excuse to burn everything. She craved to burn everything, everywhere.
Regina hated never having a choice, hated being owned, and given away. She hated her life. She hated existing.
"Perhaps you should take heed if it's been said more than once," Regina stated.
Emma glowered at her, as if she were the problem, not the situation. "You know what, yeah, let's just get this out of the way."
Regina was not sure what that meant. Emma got up on her knees and flung their cover away. She took Regina by the thighs and turned her.
"What do you think you're doing?" Regina demanded, making sure to glare at Emma with an intensity the sun would never be capable of.
"Being a whore," Emma replied and pulled Regina to her. She rested between Regina's trembling thighs.
"What-what are you doing?" Regina's voice shook as bad as her thighs. What was going on?
"Just lie back and think happy thoughts or whatever the hell advice they gave you."
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Regina roared, but the pounding of her own heart thundered over her voice. Or maybe that was all in her head. Emma did not seem affected by either.
Emma ignored Regina, shoving her nightgown up to her thighs. Regina pushed her clothing back down. Emma sucked her teeth and thrust the nightgown right back up.
"What do you think you're doing?" Regina snarled to keep the quiver from her voice. Was she ready for this? She did not feel it, but it had to be done.
Again, Emma did not answer. Instead, she caressed the insides of Regina's thighs, making her stomach do flips. Something simmered under her skin. A desire burned through her, shredding the fear in her system. She had never felt like this before.
And then Emma was on her stomach and her nose was practically in Regina's maidenhood. Before Regina had a chance to once more demand to know what Emma was doing, Emma's mouth was on her and Regina lost the ability to speak. An embarrassing squeak escaped her.
Regina's brain could hardly comprehend the pleasure bursting down every single bit of her. Touching herself never felt this amazing. How was it possible that such pleasure existed? She was unable to hold back a moan and her hands gripped the sheets for dear life. But, it was over as soon as it began. A dam broke inside of her and flooded her system with sheer delight.
Regina was certain she left her body and touched the sky. For a moment, terror gripped her. How was she expected to survive such a climb? Even if she managed to make it through this, how was she supposed to survive the landing? What even was this?
Perhaps Princess Emma's tongue was enchanted. It was the only way to explain how Regina was ready to fall apart and simply accept it. But, the feeling ebbed, fading enough for her to think. As Regina came back down, she locked eyes with Emma, who smirked. Regina's brow wrinkled. What the hell was happening?
"Ready for the real deal?" Emma asked.
"Real deal?" Regina echoed. How was that not real?
"I'm going to go inside of you. First, one." Emma held up her middle finger. "And if you're good, two." She wiggled her left ring finger, flashing the wedding band Regina had given her mere hours ago.
Regina blinked. "Inside? Of me?" No one had ever…
Emma tilted her head, confused for a moment. "Of course. It'll feel incredible, like just now."
Regina was skeptical. She had never done that to herself and no one else had ever penetrated her. She pressed her thighs together without a thought. Emma chuckled and stroked Regina's legs.
"Just let me get on with it, huh?" Emma said, a strange, mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Regina scowled. "You really think highly of yourself."
"Considering I made you come in under thirty seconds, I'm not wrong to do so."
Regina had a comeback on the tip of her tongue, but suddenly, the tip of Emma's tongue was on her and her brain ceased to function. Emma kissed her so effortlessly down there, like she enjoyed it. But, how could she enjoy it? It was just her duty.
"All right, time for a finger," Emma said and she slid her finger along Regina's passion. Regina tensed and Emma kissed her thigh. "Relax. I got you."
That was not particularly reassuring, but it did not matter. Emma's finger eased inside of Regina and her body quivered. She fell to the mattress, weightless and a pure mess. This was somehow different from before.
This sensation was like being tugged into a pool of liquid satisfaction. Regina could lie in such warmth forever. Little, breathy noises filled the room and it took her a long moment to realize they originated from her.
"You're not hard to please at all," Emma said with a chuckle.
Regina growled, euphoric feelings gone immediately. Was she being insulted? "What was that?"
Emma shook her head. "Nothing. So…" She glanced around. "Does it count if it's just you? I doubt you want to give."
Regina glared at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Emma sucked her teeth. "It's pretty clear you're not into this, not into me, and I don't want you to do something you don't want to do. Well, any more than we've already done."
A fury erupted in Regina's chest. "You mean like I just made you?"
Emma scoffed. "Nobody makes me do anything, let alone a scared, spoiled brat."
"Spoiled?" Regina shrieked. Emma did not know her life! She was not about to be lorded over yet again!
"You clearly expect your every whim to be catered to."
Regina wanted to explode and take everything with her. She was so sick of people acting like they knew her or knew what was best for her. "Lie down," she ordered in a deep growl.
Emma blinked hard several times. "Excuse me?"
"I said lie down." Regina pointed to the mattress. "I will reciprocate. We will consummate this so-called marriage and then you can go back to your life without having to deal with me." And she would not have to deal with these foolish insults.
"Yeah, and you can just be a pretty princess, right?"
Regina snarled. "Lie down. Now."
Emma huffed and slapped the pillows, but did so. She lay down and Regina crawled over her. They locked eyes and Emma did her best to appear defiant, but Regina could see down to her bones. Emma gulped, throat moving. Excellent. She was scared. It was someone else's turn.
"Besides, whatever Mother gave you will probably kill you by morning. At least I might still be able to lay claim to your land despite the short marriage."
Emma scowled. "Not funny."
A sharp scoff escaped Regina. "It's not a joke. Enjoy your last night on Earth." This was probably true.
Regina gave Emma a gentle kiss on the lips. This poor fool and her obviously cursed luck. Never had a tournament prize been such an absolute waste.
The kiss calmed Emma enough for Regina to proceed. She had no clue what she was doing, but she refused to be shown up by this ass. She eased her hands down Emma's sides and slid her nightgown up. And then groaned. Well, this is disgusting.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked. "Too much for you?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "Castians have their body hair removed for hygiene purposes. I was unaware not everyone does."
Emma chuckled. "Afraid of a little bush?"
Regina curled her lip. "This is an unkempt brush at best."
"Yeah, bet it smells, too."
Regina sucked her teeth, but she was about to find out. She kissed just below Emma's navel and earned a shiver. She took a deep breath and dived into her latest adventure.
Emma arched into her as Regina ran her tongue alone Emma's center. Thankfully, it did not smell. The taste was not unpleasant, but Regina was not sure she would say she liked it. Still, she kept at it and Emma got noisier. Good sign, right?
But, for all the noise, Emma was not reaching her peak. Emma twisted and arched, moving as if she trying to achieve Regina's goal. What to do? The finger had been nice. Regina had to feel around before she was able to slide into Emma.
"Shit, no. Suck. You gotta suck," Emma said in a mumble.
Regina's brow wrinkled. Suck what? And then her tongue moved over it and Emma's hips jumped. Oh. Fine. She would suck.
"Fuck, yes. Just like that," Emma said, apparently forgetting she spoke to a princess of Castia and her wife and not some common bar wench.
But, Regina did as instructed and Emma cooed as she fell to the pillows. Well, that was done. Regina plucked a hair from her tongue.
"Never again," Regina said.
Emma scoffed. "Your loss, not mine."
Regina was not sure what Emma meant by that, but she could assume. It was not uncommon for spouses to seek pleasure outside of their marriage, despite their vows. Regina had very little in this world, so she would keep her word as Emma trampled on her dignity. Life would never change, but Regina would not be ruled over again.
-8-8-8-8-
Despite being married and upgraded in status, Emma's life did not change much. She rarely saw her wife, except maybe at major events. And even then, they both spent most of their time on guests rather than each other.
Other than that, Emma went right back to being a knight and going on quests. And then she fell from her horse due to a dizzy spell right after returning to her manor. It was at that point her life blew up.
Emma was put to bed. The royal doctor was rushed in. Doctor Jekyll was careful in his examinations, but with every second that went by, his expression became more and more severe. It was a little scary. Was she about to die?
Thankfully, Snow came to sit with her through the examination, as did Regina. As it would not look good for her wife to not care about her health. Regina was quite skilled at keeping up appearances.
"So, what's up? I'm good for falling off my mount, but usually, because I'm clumsy," Emma said.
Doctor Jekyll shrugged, but his entire body was tense. "This was due to morning sickness. You're pregnant, your Grace." Her title was said through clenched teeth. He did not usually have such an attitude toward her. In fact, he interacted with her more than most members of Leopold's court and tended to treat her like a person. Guess that all went away with this.
Emma blinked. "Excuse me?" Her eyes cut to Regina, stoic as always. This did not make any sense. Maybe I hit my head when I fell off my horse.
"Pregnant," Doctor Jekyll replied, again. How a single word crushed into her skull like a battle axe, she would never know. Doctor Jekyll scowled and cracked his knuckles. "I'd say twelve weeks along, but a midwife would be a better judge."
This did not make any sense! Emma's brain could barely keep up with it. "But, I can't be pregnant! I haven't done anything to be pregnant!"
Emma's eyes shot to Regina. Out of everyone in the room, she needed Regina to believe her the most. Regina's face was blank and her posture was perfect. Why was she so hard to read?!
Doctor Jekyll packed up. "A midwife will be more accurate," he said in a short tone.
"I'm not!" Emma insisted, sensing the shame pouring off Doctor Jekyll. He did not say anything, just ran out of the room and left her to the lions.
"Emma, how could you!" Snow snapped as soon as the door shut. She glowered at Emma in a way Emma had not known she was capable of.
"I didn't! I promise!" Emma pressed her hands to her chest and then turned to Regina. "You gotta believe me!"
Regina stood, prim, proper, scary as shit. Her gaze was similar to how Cora used to look at Emma. "Your majesty if you would give us the room." Well, fuck, Regina was going to kill her.
"Um… maybe we should have a witness," Emma requested with a nervous grin.
"This is a very private matter and I would rather not," Regina replied, voice low and dangerous. "Your majesty, if you please." She motioned to the door.
Snow looked between them. Usually, Snow's nosiness and curiosity would win out, but this time she did the right thing. She got up and left. This was serious.
"Take me with you!" Emma shouted as the door closed. "Regina, I didn't—" The glare from her wife shut her up.
Regina sat at her bedside and her hard brown eyes bore into Emma's soul. The fury in her gaze made Emma gulp and she might throw up. I always thought a dragon or something cool would kill me.
"All my life I've been made a fool of, but this is by far the biggest," Regina hissed. "Twelve weeks? You didn't even let the ink on the marriage contract dry."
Tears welled up in Emma's eyes, hurt overflowing through her entire being. "I didn't!"
Regina pointed at her, as if the gesture should have murdered her right then and there. "I know you didn't."
Emma rubbed her eye with the heel of her hand to rid herself of her tears. No way in Hell would she cry in front of Regina, even if Regina planned to kill her. "No, I mean, I didn't do anything for this to happen. I've been faithful!" She motioned to herself with both hands.
Regina scoffed, holding her arms across her chest. "Like the chivalrous knight you are, yes?"
Who knew knighthood would come back and bite her in the ass? A huge part of being a knight was to pine for at least one untouchable maiden. Sometimes, knights touched, though. Some of the best knights were known to ruin themselves in this manner.
"I'm a bumbling knight at best!" Emma pointed out. "I can't even mount my horse without falling over, but beyond that, I take my word very seriously. For a long time, it was all I had, way before this knightly code of conduct. I took my vows to you and only you."
Regina frowned. "Your loss, not mine."
Emma's brow wrinkled. "Excuse me?" She had to have heard wrong because those words did not fit the conversation.
Regina's eyes burned into Emma more. "After our wedding night, you said it was my loss, not yours, as if you'd get it when you wanted it, as many do. Your own father, in fact."
"I am not like him!" Emma roared, spine straightening. She would never be like that asshole! She curled her lip. "I didn't mean it like that. I was trying to insult you, like you weren't good."
Regina scoffed. "I'm sure I wasn't. The perfect excuse to step outside the marriage."
"Gods-be-damned, I didn't! I have been faithful!" Emma slapped the duvet covering her.
"Then why the hell are you carrying someone's bastard?" Regina screamed, pointing at Emma.
Emma winced and then spoke through gritted teeth. "Never say that again." That was who she was — Leopold's bastard. It was her name when she was not in the room. She would never allow any child — born or not — be addressed as such while she was around.
"Then, how are you pregnant?"
"Hell if I know!" Emma threw her hands up. "I might have pissed off a fairy and this is revenge. Or I helped a fairy and this is the reward. Fairies are goofy."
Regina straightened. "Emma." The name was uttered with such surprised seriousness, like she knew what happened.
"Yeah?"
"Remember how you were meant to die the day after our wedding?"
For a moment, Emma was perplexed. Why was she supposed to die? And then, it came back to her. "Oh, right! Because of your mom's potion…" Emma's eyes flew open to an impossible degree. "No way."
Regina sighed. "It would seem instead of murdering you and controlling me, she will just groom a child."
"Our child?" Emma's eyes drifted down to her covered belly.
Regina nodded. "If what you say is true. You are carrying my child."
Emma was overwhelmed. She was pregnant, with her wife's baby. Her wife who despised her. Her wife she was not fond of. And worst of all, Cora Mills forced this on them as some sort of scheme. "Well, fuck."
Regina blew out a long breath, shoulders slumping as she did so. "Well said for once."
"What do we do?"
Regina rubbed her face with both hands. "Having the baby means giving into Mother's scheme."
Emma frowned. "So, you don't want the baby?" Do I want the baby? It was not really a question. If this was true, she only had one option as far as she was concerned.
Regina glared at her, as if she was the asshole in this situation. "I didn't say that. We'd just be playing into Mother's hands."
"So, I'm supposed to just get rid of my baby? To hell with that." Emma snorted.
Regina's scowled deepened. "Mother will use this baby to hurt your family."
"I won't let her. No offense, but I will punch your mother in her face."
Regina shook her head. "And she will rip your heart out literally."
"I'd like to see her try." Cora Mills would have to pry her baby from her cold dead hands.
Regina nodded. "Very well. We'll need magical confirmation that the baby is mine and then we can plan for Mother."
"Wait, so you want the baby?"
Regina smiled. Her face was so bright and she looked younger. Emma would pay vast amounts of money to get Regina to smile more often. "More than anything, but I can't let Mother do to them what she did to me."
Emma was not sure what that meant, but Regina was in and that was good enough. But, at some point, Emma might need to learn more about her wife and this mother they were suddenly up against. She only knew Cora by reputation. Now, she needed a battle plan.
Leopold ended up getting the Blue Fairy to confirm the pregnancy, because, of course, Snow told him everything the second she left the room. Emma was not fond of the Blue Fairy, as she had confirmed Emma was Leopold's daughter so many years ago, condemning Emma to a life with someone who hated her. She cooperated with Blue this time, though, needing her input.
Emma was indeed pregnant with Regina's baby. Leopold was not happy. Emma was pregnant before Snow. The very reason Regina had been sent away from Castia was now happening in the Enchanted Forest. Added to that, news reached Cora. She would be along before the baby was born. Well, fuck.
-8-8-8-8-
The End.
A/N the second: This story I would like to continue, but I don't have any ideas for it. I also would like to share this story somehow came from my watching a short video about medieval royal wedding practices. This was not what I expected to write when I first started this, but I'm happy with it. Throw me some ideas if you'd like to see more.
Once again, special thanks to Mel, Nyrdqueen, 2bears2023, Brooke, Hayleigh L, Knzi, Kae, Ashlee B, Aiszia, Jodi G, Angel S., N, Evie, Lauren S, Persephone the Dreaded One, Jelli_Tots, JoLeen, MaxximumRide666, HR…, Jennifer B, StarKitty23, 88WWitch, Kael D, Ches W, Susie, Sally C, Sketchy Raccoon, Mary, MamaSaucy, Katherine L, Nick Kruithof, Raven, Dean G, Reimarbles, EchoJuliet, and Matts. You're all awesome. Again, thank you. I appreciate all of your support.
Thank you to everyone who read this story. I hope you enjoyed it. I'm returning to my padded cell now, but I'll be back in a little while. Take care. Hasta…